Lina Zeldovich is an award-winning journalist whose stories have appeared in Popular Science, Smithsonian, The New York Times, National Geographic and Reader’s Digest, among other publications. Her previous book, “The Other Dark Matter: The Science and Business of Turning Waste Into Wealth and Health,” has been optioned for a TV series. Her new book, “The Living Medicine: How a Lifesaving Cure Was Nearly Lost—and Why It Will Rescue Us When Antibiotics Fail,” was released from St. Martin’s Press in October 2024.
Lina Zeldovich
Freelance journalist and editor
From this contributor
Sniffing out the mysteries of olfaction
A background in physics, and his own curiosity, have helped Dmitry Rinberg tackle the complexities of the neuroscience of smell.
Now hiring: What autistic people need to succeed in the workplace
Autistic adults have more job opportunities than they used to, and a small neurodiverse workforce is thriving — but mainly at select companies that invest heavily in such employees.
Now hiring: What autistic people need to succeed in the workplace
By
Lina Zeldovich
4 March 2020 | 17 min read
How history forgot the woman who defined autism
Grunya Sukhareva characterized autism nearly two decades before Austrian doctors Leo Kanner and Hans Asperger. So why did the latter get all the credit?
How history forgot the woman who defined autism
By
Lina Zeldovich
7 November 2018 | 13 min read
The evolution of ‘autism’ as a diagnosis, explained
From a form of childhood schizophrenia to a spectrum of conditions, the characterization of autism in diagnostic manuals has a complicated history.
The evolution of ‘autism’ as a diagnosis, explained
By
Lina Zeldovich
9 May 2018 | 7 min read
Why the definition of autism needs to be refined
Five years after its latest revision, the manual used to diagnose autism is back under scrutiny, as evidence suggests it excludes some people on the spectrum.
Why the definition of autism needs to be refined
By
Lina Zeldovich
9 May 2018 | 14 min read
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To understand decision-making, we need to truly challenge lab animals
Complex, multidimensional tasks that unfold over time could reveal how different brain areas work together to support decisions.
To understand decision-making, we need to truly challenge lab animals
Complex, multidimensional tasks that unfold over time could reveal how different brain areas work together to support decisions.
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Chand Chandrasekaran
20 April 2026 | 6 min read
‘Overdue’ debate unfurls over neuroimaging method
After a January paper questioned the validity of an approach called lesion network mapping, its users are pressure testing their results.
‘Overdue’ debate unfurls over neuroimaging method
After a January paper questioned the validity of an approach called lesion network mapping, its users are pressure testing their results.
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Angie Voyles Askham
17 April 2026 | 8 min read
Nearly 400 compounds affect behaviors tied to autism-linked genes in zebrafish
Estropipate, paclitaxel and levocarnitine altered behaviors tied to SCN2A and DYRK1A variants specifically, a new open-source platform revealed.
Nearly 400 compounds affect behaviors tied to autism-linked genes in zebrafish
Estropipate, paclitaxel and levocarnitine altered behaviors tied to SCN2A and DYRK1A variants specifically, a new open-source platform revealed.
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Charles Q. Choi
16 April 2026 | 4 min read